Western New York winters are long, grey, and snowy — lake-effect storms off Lake Erie can dump several feet in a day. From December through March most of the local attractions are closed, the canal towpath is impassable on a bike, and life retreats indoors.
Late spring, summer, and early autumn are the times to visit. June through September brings the canal to life with boats, the harbour fills with concerts, and Canal Fest takes over the waterfront for eight days each July. October is at its best for foliage drives along the upper Niagara River. The Herschell Carrousel Museum closes for the winter and reopens in April; the Riviera Theatre runs year-round.